Even with the score zero in Caracas, Tricolor scored its first point in the continental competition
Champion in 2023, the Fluminense began its journey this Tuesday (7) in Copa Libertadores. First Brazilian on the field in the group stage, the Rio team did not come from scratch against La Guaira-VENat the UCV Olympic Stadium, in Caracas. What was special about the confrontation was the record broken by goalkeeper Fábio, as the oldest player to play in the biggest competition on the continent.
With equality, Fluminense add your first point in Group C. The team returns to play for the Libertadores on Wednesday (15), at 9:30 pm, against Independent Rivadavia-ARGin his debut in front of the fans, at Maracanã.
Fabio broke another personal record in the Libertadores. After becoming the Brazilian with the most games in the competition, in the game in Caracas, the goalkeeper became the oldest player to play in the competition. At 45 years, six months and seven days, he surpassed another goalkeeper, Bolivian Luis Galarza, who played in 1995. Fabio too matched right-back Marcos Rochatoday at Grêmio, with 13 participations each in the Libertadores.
With the ball rolling, Fábio didn’t have to do so much work. We even expected a more defensive La Guaira, but the Venezuelan team started with more possession of the ball, but with little offensive qualitydid not bother the Rio defense.
Fluminense loosened up more after the hydration break. After the return, he was superior on the fieldwith more possession of the ball and only did not open the scoring because John Kennedy stopped a miracle by goalkeeper Varela, catching the striker’s shot from close range in the small area.
The second stage maintained the same panorama. Fluminense continued to have more ball control and started to take more risks. The Brazilian team complained about two penalties, one for touching Rivero’s arm and the other for pulling John Kennedy. The attacker still had another great chance in the area and, again, was blocked.
Zubeldía sought to take advantage of the good offensive moment and changed the entire attacking line. Even with the oxygenated sector, Brazilian chances decreaseddespite the team continuing to dictate the pace. In the final stretch, Fluminense reached have four attackers on the fieldbut in the last move he saw Varela shine and save Martinelli’s shot.
Fluminense now turns the key to the Brazilian Championship, where they face the traditional Fla-Flu, against Flamengo, on Saturday (11), at 6:30 pm, at Maracanã.
TECHNICAL SHEET
LA GUAIRA (VEN) 0 × 0 FLUMINENSE
THE GUAIRA: Varela; Luis Peña, Rivero, Osio and Gutierrez; Caceres (Rivas), Jose Correa (Faya), Ibarra and Perdomo; Londoner (Alexis Rodriguez) and Table (Walls). Technician: Hector Bidoglio.
FLUMINENSE: Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Jemmes, Freytes and Renê; Martinelli, Hércules (Cano) and Lucho Acosta (Ganso); Canobbio (Serna), John Kennedy (Rodrigo Castillo) and Savarino (Soteldo). Coach: Luis Zubeldía.
YELLOW CARDS: Osio, Paredes and Rivero.
ARBITRATOR: José Burgos (URU).
INCOME AND AUDIENCE: Not available.
LOCAL: UCV Olympic Stadium, in Caracas (VEN).
*Estadão Content
